Research Interests
My research interests mainly address issues pertaining to children and youth, often with an applied focus, including antisocial and delinquent behaviour. I am currently involved in three long-term research projects. First, I am conducting a study with colleagues at The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, the University of Toronto, Laval University, the University Health Network, and Carleton University to examine the criminal trajectories of 764 male offenders who had been sentenced to an open custody facility as a young offender between 1986 and 1996 (here's a photo of the research team from a recent meeting at Ryerson). A report we submitted to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) that describes the methodology and findings of the study is available here. Second, with collaborators at Ryerson and York University, I am conducting a study to test a model of risky sexual risk and injury-related risk behaviours in a sample of juvenile offenders. Third, I am working with colleagues at York University to investigate the psychological impact of physical restraints on children involved in residential and day treatment programs.
As well, I have collaborated with colleagues at OISE/UT and The Graduate Center, CUNY on a study of adolescents' understanding of their nurturance and self-determination rights. In 2004, I completed a study on the needs of street-involved youth in Toronto. Last, between 2002 and 2009, I completed four research projects for Kinark Child and Family Centre, a children's mental health centre in Ontario. Two studies involved examining the psychosocial, mental health, and intellectual characteristics of several samples of juvenile offenders at a secure custody setting. Two studies were evaluations of a treatment program for children under the age of 12 years who have had, or are at risk of having, police contact as a result of engaging in antisocial behaviour.
I am currently supervising four graduate students at the PhD level, Ashley Ward (see also a Ministry of Children and Youth Services Report we submitted), Jennifer Newman, Sandy Oziel, and Holly Wilson, and one undergraduate Honours thesis student, Christine Nascimben.
For a list of recent publications, conference presentations, and workshops conducted follow the link. A recent CV is available here.
Oh yes...I have an Erdős number of 4 thanks to Jeffrey Rosenthal who has a Erdős number of 3.